Acne

Acne is a chronic skin disorder that affects many teenagers, and about 20% of adults. Acne treatment is one of the most commonly performed procedures at Laser Heath Works.

Acne usually occurs on the face, chest, back, and shoulders as well. It is caused by many factors, and may things can aggravate acne. Acne is a problem related to sebaceous glands, inflammation and blocking of the outlets for the sebaceous glands. Adult acne can be caused by disorder of the hormones, and can also be related to childbirth, etc.

Acne may form in many different appearances including:

Whiteheads

Blackheads

Pimples

Cysts

Treatment Options

EDUCATION

Developing knowledge about acne is the most powerful tool you have to fight it. At Laser Health Works our Physicians take the time to educate you about the causes of acne is and the best solution to treat it.

SKIN CARE

LIGHT THERAPY

Customized Light Therapy can work well to decrease the very cause of acne. When used in treating acne we may use Blu-U which targets the bacteria that causes acne. This may be used in combination with other treatments. Our qualified professional staff will create a customized plan for you based on your skin condition.

ISOLAZ

Isōlaz is a breakthrough treatment for mild to moderate acne. It uses a combination of photo-pneumatic energy that combines a vacuum and broad band light (BBL). The vacuum removes blockages in the pores, including blackheads, dirt, oil and dead cells, and the BBL destroys bacteria and reduces redness. The result is skin that is purified from the inside out. It is a safe, painless, effective treatment with no downtime. All skin types can be treated with the pneumatic pore purification.

TREATMENT WITH PRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS

In some cases, topical creams and lotions may be needed as may oral medications.

PROFRACTIONAL LASER TREATMENT

ProFractional laser treatment addresses acne scarring, “ice pick”, “crater scars” and deep damage to the skin. The result of profractional treatment is often smoother, clearer skin that is resurfaced from the inside out.

REGULAR MONITORING

Our team of doctors, nurse and Aesthetician provide constant monitoring of your condition which can improve results.

Tips for Treatment of Acne-Prone Skin

Washing Routine

Before you attempt other acne treatments you must be sure that you are currently using the proper washing routine. Keeping your face clean requires that you wash it two times per day, three times at the most. You must be very careful to avoid overdoing it. Skin must maintain the proper pH levels to remain healthy. Over-washing will make your face dry and irritated, causing more breakouts. Many times individuals will vigorously scrub their skin when they wash it. I do not recommend this because such treatment will only serve to irritate the skin and cause more breakouts.

Note: Acne is not caused by “dirty” skin, it is the result of clogged pores infected with bacteria. Washing alone does not prevent acne, it simply serves to remove dirt and oil at the surface level but the wrong type of washing can aggravate acne and make it worse.

Follow these recommendations: wash your hands, then lather up your facial cleanser and gently massage the lather over your facial skin in circular motions. I do not recommend face cloths as they may irritate the skin unless they are made of a special microfiber and designed specifically for use on the face. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a clean soft towel.

Touching

Perhaps one of the most overlooked remedies for acne is to avoid touching, rubbing or scratching your face, or bracing your chin in your hand. It is a very difficult thing to avoid since we do it without thinking about it, but make it a habit to avoid hand-to-face contact and be conscious of it through the day.

Water

Drinking water can help keep the skin hydrated and improve results. While water alone will not eliminate your acne, it will greatly help to make your skin healthy and that will be one portion of the pie in fighting acne.

Diet

While no specific foods have been proven to affect acne, it is important to note that good nutrition helps the body to maintain healthy skin. If you notice that certain foods aggravate your acne then the best advice is to limit them or avoid them altogether.

So what foods should you look to avoid? Pop and peanuts are common things to aggravate acne. Be aware of some junk foods such as potato chips, corn chips, etc. Keep your diet low in fat and sugar. Eating a properly balanced diet ensures that your body gets the proper nutrients and therefore promotes skin healthy skin.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. A high-fibre, low-fat diet is excellent in promoting overall good health.

Exercise

Exercise is good for your overall health. It will increase your blood circulation and bring more oxygen to your major organs including the skin. The benefits you get from exercise are not only physical but to a large extent mental. Just make sure that you wash your face after an intense exercise session to remove any oil or sweat from your skin that may harbour bacteria and cause more acne.

Sleep

Research has indicated that our hormone levels increase when our sleep patterns are disturbed. Increased hormone levels result in increased sebum production which leads to…you guessed it…more acne. It is during sleep that our skin cells begin to be nourished and regenerating takes place the most as the body repairs itself from a long day. Try to get more sleep. Be sure to wash your pillowcase often as the fabric begins to harbour bacteria that can exacerbate acne, and keep your hair back with a soft hair band to minimize contact with facial skin.

Individuals have also reported severe acne breakouts due to prolonged sleep deprivation.

Stress

Stress is something that needs to be reduced in your life since it tends to aggravate acne in many people. So how do you lower your stress levels? Aside from eliminating things that cause you stress in your life, look into relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques are great for stressful situations. You may even look into practicing meditation or yoga to further reduce your stress levels.